Fluid transfer apparatus



c. R. HlxsoN FLUID TRANSFER APPARATUS Feb. 25, 1947.

2 sheds-sheet 1 Filed Aug. 18, 1945 INVENTOR (Iv/nn /f //xfaM A ToRNr-:Y

Feb. 25, 1947- c. R. HlxsoN FLUID TRANSFER APPARATUS Filed Aug. 18, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNvl-:NToR (Para: A? 54AM/v BY l A ORNEY conduit.

PatentedFeb. 25, 1947j v rFLUID TRANSFER; APPARATUS Charles R. Hixson, Phoenixville, Pa., assigner to Wyeth Incorporated, Philadelphia, Pa., a corl poration of Delaware Application August 111.1945, serial No. 611,390

11 claims. l

This invention relates to iiuid transferring and dispensing apparatus. The method and apparatus disclosed herein may be used in whole or in part in connection with a. wide variety of flow apparatus and for widely varied uses. It is lwell adapted for use in extracting liquid from con-v tainers, and particularly when it is desired to protect the contents ofthe container from contamination, including contamination fromA air or gas unintentionallyintroduced rinto the .container. and to control fluid flow for a wide variety of purposes and in connection with 'a wide variety of. operations such as may obtain anywhere including for example laboratories, hospitals, factories, and the 1ike,` and' also in the field.

For the purpose of illustration of an embodiment of my' invention, and without limitation as to the application of my method andapparatus, I have described it herein in connection with its application in transferring blood piasmafrorn a sealed container for injection into a patient.

' scope of lthe application of which will be indicated l ploded relation; y u Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view similarto Figure 2 showing the parts in fully assem- An object of the invention is to provide simple, n

practical and efiicient apparatus of the above mentioned kind. y

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for initiatingv and actuatingand controlling the flow of fluid through a conduit.

`Another object of the invention is to provide simple, practical and eillcient means for causing a flow of fluid mixed with air..

Another object 4of the invention is to provide means of the above mentioned kind which when operative for fluid flow will also be operative for mixing filtered air with said fluid without manipulation of separate control means.

Another object of the invention is to pivide simple, practical and effective means for controlling the fluid flow through said flow apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide a non-metal valve for controlling flow through a in the following claims.4

The invention will best be understood if the following description isP read invconnection with 'the accompanying drawings, in which l l Figure 1 is an elevational view of flow apparatus embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is an elevational view, partly in` cross.

section, showing means for introducingg'as into a container and for withdrawing fluid therefrom showing the parts in partly assembled ory exbled relation and connected to theupper end of a, flexible tube comprising of the conduit means ofthe device;

Figure 41s a detailed view of the forward ends y b of the inner and outer members of the assembly shownin Figure 3 -with their respective ports in unaligned relation; A y

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing the ports. in aligned relation; i

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmental view of Figure 3y showing the air passage 23a connecting between the air filter and thel air passage 21;

Figure 7 is a top plan view in sectiontaken o the line 1--1 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a. longitudinal section` through the flexible portion of the conduit means illustrated in Figure 1 and forming ow control means for the embodiment'of my invention shown herein;

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 6 but show-" flexible conduit .valve while open;v

Figure 11 is a similar-view showing the valve twisted and constricted closed position; and

Figure 12 shows a modication of the arrangement illustrated in Figures 8 to 11 inclusive.'

'I'he invention is directed to means for ytransinto a substantially ferring uid from a containerto any receiver',

and in the embodiment of the invention described herein conduit means is providedfor transferring fluid from a sealed container I0 toneedle ymeml,

ber N for injection into a person who is to' receive a" blood transfusion. As illustrated herein;

the container I0 is a bottle of the kind used for v blood plasma, having a bandll around it, and

a hanger l2 is shown detachably' secured to band Il as by snap fastener members I3. The hanger i2 may be of tape or any suitable material for suspending container I in inverted position, from any suitable support (not shown) while the fluid transfer is effected,

Containers forv blood plasma and the like are usually sealed with a puncturable seal which is preferably of a material, such as a' rubber like material, which is'adapted to substantially close tween member |8,and member I above shoulder 26. The air channel 21 extends to the forward apuncture after the puncturing instrumentalityk i is withdrawn. As shown herein the mouth of container I0 is closed by a puncturable seal I4. The forward end of a. conduit member I5 extends through the mouth of the inverted container l0 andinto the fluid within the container and has a port |56 at its extremity.y Member I5 is preferably pointed or bevelled at its for-,. ward end rendering it needle-like to facilitate its insertion into container I0 through th'e seal I4. The member I5 besides being open at its forward end of member I5 to transfer air or other gas into the uid within container I0, andas shown here- `in is provided as a spiral channel formed in the external surface of member I8. The introduction of air into container I0 serves to break lip portion being .of substantially greater diamend has a laterally extending port 6 through its wall, preferably adjacent its forward end. Member .I5 is provided adjacent its rear end |5a' with the external threads |1 which are scored vertically at |1a for the purpose described here' Projecting into member I5 through its rear end is another conduit member I8, having a bevelled shoulder |8a against which the chamfered rear -end |5ak of .member I5 abuts when the device is.

fullyV assembled and in non-*operative position. The forward extremity I9 of member I8 is-'closed and desirably extends well toward the forward end of member I5 and member I8 is also provided snuglytogether as at 20, 'Figure 4, so that the wall of member |8 around. port 2| will abut against the wall of member I5 around port |6, so that the ports when in register will form an orifice leading into member I8.

Members I5 and I8 are supported in a third tubular member 22 fthe forwardend Aof which is provided with interior` threads 23 and exterior threads 24. Member I8 extends through member 4 22 and may be secured thereto, preferably in a end of member |5,engag`e the internal threads 23 of member 22, and when the members I5 and 22 are tightly screwed together the chamfered porftion ofthe rear end |5a of member I5 will abut against the inclined shoulder |8a on member I8, 4

and the -unchamfered portion of the rear end I 5a of member I5 will abut against the inwardly projecting shoulder 26,-positioned adjacent the forward end of member' 22 at the lower end o theinternal threads 23 of member 22.

Theports I Band 2| in members. I5 and I8 respectively are disposed` so that they will not be in register when member I5 is screwed together tightly with member 22, but rwill be in register whenk member I5 isunseated from shoulders |8a and 26 by a predetermined amount, such for example as by a half turn from its position of fullest threaded engagement with member 22, and

, when this slight unseating of member I5 occurs,

as bythe uns'crewing of member I5 from member 22 as by a half turn of member I5, air will pass between members I5 and 22 respectively, through the scoring I1`a of screw threads I1 and thus enter into the air space or channel 21 beeter than the diameter of the member I5. The cup-like member 29 is filled with air filtering material 30 suhfor example as cotton, which, if desired, may be treated with an antiseptic solution. It will thus be seen that air entering cup.

like member 29 will pass through the filtering material 38 and through the scoring 23a into the air channel l21 between members l5 and I8 when member I5 is unseated from shoulders I8a and 26 sufciently to bring ports 1| 6 and 2| into register, and will pass ythrough air channel 21 to the open end of vneedle-like member I5 and thus 'enter'the fluid in container' IU, therebycausing fiuid from container I0 to flow through the registering ports I6l and ,2|- and downwardly through tubular member I8 as stated above. When it is desired to stop the ow of uid from container I0 it is only necessary to screw up member I5 until it ts snugly against shoulders |8a and 26 thereby moving port I6 out of register with port Member I8 discharges into a flexible tube-like conduit member 3| whichv serves as a continuation `of conduit member |8 and is inserted through a. rigid sleeve 32, and spaced-portions of flexible tube 3| are expanded vinto frictional engagement with sleeve 32, as by tubular members 33 and 34 inserted in spaced apart portions of flexible tube 3| which are themselves within sleeve 32. If desired the lower end of flexible tube 3| may beA threaded over the lower end of member 22, through which the lower end of memlber I8 extends, aiid inI theV latter'case, as shown in Figure 3, the lower end of member 22 serves as expanding member 33 to expand a portion of flexible tube 3|, outwardly against the inner surface of the upper portion of rigid sleeve 32 through which the flexible tube 3| extends. The tubular member 34, may desirably be of the 'same diameter as the member 33 and is inserted in flexible tube 3|, in spaced relation to member 33 but so that member *34 serves to expand flexible tube 3| outwardly against the inner surface of rigid sleeve 32 preferably adjacent its lower end. Thev portion of fiexible tube 3| intermediate the expanding means 33 andl 34 is thus left unexpanded, and, upon rotation of either member 33 or 34, and the portion of flexible tube 3| expanded into frictional engagement with rigid sleeve 32 thereby, this intermediate portion, indicatedv generally as 35, may be ytwisted and constricted whereby the flow of fluid through the conduit' may be controlled as desired. It will be understood that after either or both members 33 and 34 have been rotated relatively one to the other, causingthe intermediate portion 35 of' flexible tube 3| to be twisted and constricted,

engagedwith the said internal threads of said first member, said third member having a pointed end adapted to pierce the seal of a sealed liquid container, said second member extending within said third member to a point adjacent the forward end of said third member and having a longitudinally extending air channel around its outer surface communicating with the end of said third member beyond said second member, and said second and third members each having a port through its wall adjacent its forward end positioned so that said port-s are unaligned when said third and first members are fully threadedly engaged but may be brought into alignment to permit liquid from said container to flow into said second member when said members are less than fully interengaged, and a fourth tubular member surrounding the upper end of said first member and threadedly engaged with the said exterior threads thereof, said fourth member having a portion communicating with the atmosphere, and air filtering material in said portion, said portion also communicating with said air channel, through the space provided between the external threads on said, third member and the internal threads on said first member when said members are not tightly screwed together, whereby filtered air may be introduced into the interior of said container through said channel and the forward end of said third member.

5. A liquid dispensing valve comprising an elongated hollow needle-like member adapted to extend into the mouth of a container, a first tubular member extending into said needle-like member through its unpointed end, a tubular support member into which said first tubular member extends, means joining said first tubular member to said support member, said support member being threaded both internally and externally and having an inwardly extending shoulder serving as a seat for said needle-like member, said needle-like member being provided with external threads adjacent its lower end adapted to engage the internal threads on said support member and to abut against said seat when completely threadedly engaged with said support member, said first tubular member being adapted to fit snugly within said needle-like member adjacent its forward end, said needle-like member and said tubular member each having a port in the respective portions of their walls which fit together snugly, positioned so as to be brought into register when said needle-like member is slightly unseated from the said shoulder of said support member, an air channel between said needle-like member and said first tubular member extending from above said shoulder to the forward end of said needle-like member, and air filter means intermediate the atmosphere and the said threaded connection between the needle-like member and the said support member, whereby, when said threaded connection is loosened to bring the ports of said needle-like member and said first tubular member into register, filtered air is admitted into the said channel and is transmitted into said container, and liquid from said container is caused to flow through the registering ports of said needle-like member and said first tubular member, into, and through said first tubular member.

6. A liquid dispensing valve comprising, a tubular support member having an inwardly projecting shoulder, a hollow needle-like member adjustably engageable with said support member and adapted when fully engaged to abut against said shoulder, a narrow tubular member' project- 8 ing through said support member and into said needle-like member, means joining said narrow tubular member to said support member adja-v cent its lower end, said narrow tubular member being of a cross section adjacent its forward end lto flt snugly within said needle-like member adjacent its forward end, an air channel extending between said narrow tubular member and said needle-like member from the region of adjustable engagement between said needle-like member and said support member to the forward end of said needle-like member, said needle-like member and said narrow tubular member each having a port extending through its.wall adjacent its forward end and positioned so that when said needle-like member is unseated a predetermined amount the said ports will be in register and will thus communicate between the liquid in the container and the interior of said narrow tubular member, and air filtering material means operative when said needle-like member is unseated from the shoulder of said support member by an amount sufficient to bring the said ports of said needle-like member and said narrow tubularmember into register to admit filtered air between said narrow tubular member and said needle-like member, to transfer filtered air into the container, thereby breaking the vacuum therein and causing fluid from said container mixed with air to flow through the registering ports of said needle-like member and said narrow tubular member, into and through said narrow tubular member.

7. In flow apparatus, an outer conduit member adapted to be inserted into a sealed fiuid container and having an open forward end and a port through its Wall adjacent its forward end, an inner conduit member having a, portion insertable into said outer member including a portion adjacent its forward end adapted to fit snugly within said outer member and having a closed forward end and a port through its wall in its said snugly fitting portion, means for, supporting said members with said inner member projecting into said outer member so that at least one of said 4.5 members is rotatable to bring the said ports of said members into register, means operative when said ports are in register for admitting air between said inner member and said outer member, and an air channel extending between said members longitudinally and communicating with the forward end of said outer member.

8. In iiow apparatus, a first conduit member having an open forward end and a port through its wall, a second conduit member having a portion insertable into said first member and having a. port through its wall, means for supporting said members with said second member projecting into said first member so that said members are relatively movable to bring said ports into or out of register, means operative when said ports like member, means for supporting said members so that they are relatively movable one to the other to bring said ports into or out of register, an air. channel extending longitudinally between said members and communicating with the forward end of said needle-like member beyond its the expanded portions of flexible tube 3| will be held against untwisting by their frictional engagement respectively with the rigid wall of sleeve member 32. Thus, by rotating one expanded portion of flexible tube 3| relative to the other expanded portion, the tube 3| may vbe constricted to any desired degree and iiofw through the conduit similarly controlled.

In Figure 12 there is illustrated another and preferred arrangement of the parts shown in Figure 8. According to the embodiment of the invention shown, in Figure 12 member I8 discharges `through the lower end of member 22 into the 'flexible tube 3|. Flexible tube 3| is inserted through a rigid sleeve 32, and its upper end is held in position, as by tension and its frictional engagement between sleeve 32 and the lower end of member 22 which desirably projects a short distance inside sleeve 32.

A rigid tube 34a is also inserted into flexible tube 3| and extends into iiexible tube 3| to a distance suflicient to cause tension on iiexible tube 3| between the upper end of tube 34a and the lower end of sleeve 32, as illustrated in Figure 12. When the flexible tube 3|, which is capable oi being somewhat stretched, is pulled downward, away from sleeve 32, the top of member 34a is moved awayy from the lower end of sleeve 32, as for example to the position indicated in dotted lines in Figure 12, the tension on flexible tube 3|, adjacent the lower end of sleeve 32, is relieved and tube 3| may be twisted in either direction. After tube 3| has been twisted to the desired extent and then released, thus permitting it to contract longitudinally, the tension on ilexible tube 3| adjacent the lower end of sleeve 32, between the upper end of tube 34a and the lower end of sleeve 32, is renewed and a permanent seating of iiexible tube 3| in its twisted position is effected by said tension and by friction on tube 3| in the plane b-b. Thus by pulling down on tube 3| below sleeve 32, twisting it as much as desired, and releasing it, the tube 3| may be constricted as desired and the flow through tube 3| may be controlled accordingly.

It will be understood that the flexible member 3| may discharge directly into any type of receiver, or may be extended as desired and connected with an instrumentality, such for example as a needle N, Figure l, adapted for performing intracutaneous or intravenous injections into a patient who is to receive the plasma or other fluid being transferred through the conduit to which the invention described herein is directed.

It will thus be seen that there has been provided by this invention a method and apparatus in which the various objects hereinabove set forth together with many thoroughly practical advantages are successfully achieved. As various possible embodiments might be made of the mechanical features of the above invention and as the art herein described might -be varied in various parts, all without departing from the scope of the invention, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What I claim is:

1. A ilow conduit comprising an outer tubular member insertable in a sealed container and having a port in its wall below its open forward end, an inner tubular member projecting into said needle-like member and closed at its forward end and having a port in its wall, means for supporting said members so that the ports of said members may be moved into or out of register, an air channel extending longitudinally between said members to the open forward end of said outer member, means operative when the ports of said members are brought into register to admit air to said air channel between said members for introduction into said container to actuate ow of uid from said container, a iiexible tube` connected tosaid inner tubular member, a rigid sleeve surrounding a portion of said flexible tube, and a plurality of substantially rigid hollow members positioned in spaced relation in said flexible tube so that they expand spaced portions of said iiexible tube outwardly into frictional engagement with said rigid sleeve leaving the portion of said tube within said sleeve which is intermediate said members in unexpanded condition, and so that 'one of said expanded portions of said iiexible tube may be rotated in said sleeve relatively to the other of said expanded portions and again frictionally engaged with said sleeve, to twist and constrlct the unexpanded portion of said flexible tube and thus control the ow through said conduit.

2. Flow apparatus comprising an elongated conduit having a flexible portion, the forward extremity of said conduit being closed and being inserted in a tubular member adapted to be inserted into a fluid container and having a port spaced from its open front end, said conduit also having a port adjacent its front end, means for mounting said tubular member so that relative movement may be obtained between it and said conduit to bring said ports into and out of alignment, means operative when said ports are aligned to pass air into said container causing fluid from said container to iiow into said conduit through said ports, a rigid sleeve surrounding a portion of the flexible portion of said conduit and means for expanding spaced portions of the iiexible portion of said conduit within said sleeve to frictionally engage the said expanded portions within said sleeve leaving the portion of said flexible portion of said conduit intermediate said expanded portions unexpanded and readily deformable.

3. A fluid dispensing device comprising an outer conduit member insertable into a container and having an opening at its forward end adapted to transfer gas into said container, and having a port adjacent its forward end, an inner conduit member the forward end of which extends into said outer member, said inner member having a closed forward end and a port adjacent its forward end, said members being relatively movable to bring their said ports into register to cause liquid to iiow through said ports into said inner member, means for introducing gas into said outer member when said ports are in register, and means for controlling the iiow of liquid within said inner member.

4. A device for introducing altered air into av sealed liquid container and for withdrawing liquid therefrom which comprises, a rst tubular member the upper end of which is threaded both interiorly and exteriorly, a second tubular member extending through said rst member and projecting beyond its threaded end, said first and second tubular members being joined together adjacent their lower ends, a third tubular member extending over and around the said projecting portion of said second member and having threads around its lower outer surface said port, and means operative when said ports are is register to admit air into said air channel and inoperative when said ports are not in register.

10. A fluid dispensing device comprising a hollow needle-like member, a tube-like member one end of which is nsertable within said needle-like member, each of said members having a port in its wall spaced from the end of said needle-like member, means for supporting said members so that theyare relatively movable one to the other to bring said ports into or out of register, an air channel extending longitudinally between said members'pand communicating with the forward end of said needle-like member beyond its said port, said' air channel being closed at its lower end when the said ports are not in register and being ope'n at its lower end to transfer a flow of air to the container when said iirst mentioned ports are :in register, and means for filtering air admitted to said air channel.

11. In 'now apparatus comprising a flexible conduit, means forcontroll-ing the now comprising a rigid sleeve surrounding a portion of said flexible conduit, and substantially rigid hollow members positioned in spaced relation in said conduit within, and adjacent the ends of, said rigid sleeve so that they expand spaced substantial portions of said conduit outwardly and frictionally against the inner portion oi said sleeve adjacent Y 10 the respective ends of said sleeve, leaving an unexpanded portion of said conduit between said members, whereby, upon rotation of either of said members and the portion of said conduit expanded by it, the portion of the conduit intermediate said expanded portions is twisted and constructed spirally to regulate the flow as 'desired and may be retained in the desired constricted position due to frictional engagement of said conduit between said sleeve and said sleeve expanding members respectively.

CHARLES R. HIXSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,065,829 Schwab Dec. 29, 1936 2,168,270 Paisley et a1 Aug. 1, 1939 2,208,550 Shapiro July 16, 1940 1,098,286 Miller May 26, 1914 1,166,690 Kahn Jan. 4, 1916 1,986,484 Schlueter Jan. 1, 1935 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 815,407 French Apr. 12. 1937 

